Bomber Command veteran Arthur Atkins DFC turns 100

Arthur transferred from the Army to the RAAF and did his elementary flying training at 11 EFTS Benalla, then SFTS at Mallala on Avro Ansons. He was posted to England, where he trained on Wellingtons then Lancasters at No1 Lancaster Finishing School.

He flew a tour of 31 operations, and was awarded a DFC.

He then stayed on as the Wing Commander’s personal pilot flying an Airspeed Oxford at 1667 Communications Unit.

On August 6th 2017 he celebrated his 100th birthday in Melbourne. Here’s a short video where Arthur speaks about flying alongside a B17 Flying Fortress.